Proliferative fibrotic membranes in Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) cause severe harm to the patients' visual function. It is critical to inhibit the occurrence and development of fibrosis in order to preserve the visual function of the patients in advanced stage of diabetic retinopathy. In recent years, reports about inhibiting neovascularization in PDR are common. It is rare to find reports about inhibiting fibrosis formation. The application of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor antagonist, HMG coenzyme A reductase inhibitors and steroids could inhibit the formation of fibrosis at varying degrees by targeting different pathways. Therefore, it is necessary to summarize the basis of current research conditions for the inhibition of the formation of proliferative fibrotic membranes in PDR, which will provide extensive ideas for the treatment of PDR and fibrosis formation.